Thimphu

With a population of about 100,000, one out of every seven people in Bhutan lives in Thimphu, the country’s capital. Home to the Royal family, Thimphu is Bhutan’s economic, religious, culture, and government center. As the only world capital with no traffic lights, Thimphu is a true blend of the old and the new, combining a small-town feel with flashes of modernity. You’ll see crimson-robed monks and locals in traditional dress on streets lined with restaurants, office buildings, and craft shops—yet there are also many serene monasteries, fortresses, and pockets of lush greenery. Archery tournaments take place on weekends at Changlimithang Stadium, and on most mornings local competitors come to practice with their traditional team songs and victory dances between rounds. The National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu’s most prominent religious structure, is a large Tibetan-style temple complex where locals come to worship and pay homage to Bhutan’s popular third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

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Phobjikha Valley

One of Bhutan’s most picturesque locales, Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley of rich wildlife, sacred sites, nature trails—and fewer than 5,000 inhabitants known as Gangteps. In the winter, globally-threatened black-necked cranes also make their home in the lush valley, which is also a favorite destination of trekking enthusiasts. Set on a forested hill overlooking Phobjikha Valley is the Gangtey Goenpa, a remote Buddhist monastery built in the early 17th century. Also known as Gangteng (meaning “hilltop”), the monastery includes a massive Tibetan-style tshokhang (prayer hall), featuring 18 great pillars around a three-story inner atrium. When the black-necked cranes come to the Phobjikha Valley to roost, they can be seen circling this historic monastery three times when they arrive—and three times before returning to Tibet.

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Punakha

Punakha served as Bhutan’s capital for more than three centuries, and is about a three-hour drive from the country’s current capital of Thimphu. This idyllic rice-growing region is home to Punakha Dzong, widely considered the most splendid of the fortress-like monasteries that dot Bhutan’s landscapes. Set at the confluence of the Mo and Pho (Mother and Father) rivers, the 17th-century fortress features ornate murals and serene courtyards—and is where all of Bhutan’s kings have been crowned. Another regional highlight is Chimi Lhakhang, also called the “Fertility Temple.” This yellow-roofed temple was built in 1499 to honor Drukpa Kunley, a rogue Buddhist monk known as the Divine Madman who remains one of Bhutan’s favorite saints. Kunley, who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, spread enlightenment through an active sex life and is responsible for the ubiquitous phallic imagery found in Punakha and painted on many homes throughout Bhutan.

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Paro

The historic town of Paro is situated on the floor of a wide valley, outlined by crystalline rivers, and set against the backdrop of four-mile-high Mount Jomolhari. With a giant prayer wheel sitting at its center, it should come as no surprise that sacred sites and symbols of devotion abound in this charming valley town with colorfully painted wooden shops lining its main street. There are 155 temples and monasteries dating back some 700 years found in Paro, including Paro Dzong. Otherwise known as Rinpung Dzong, which means “fortress on a heap of jewels,” it is considered one of the most striking examples of Bhutanese architecture—and this 17th-century structure with its towering buttressed walls was also the setting for Bertolucci’s 1995 film Little Buddha. Paro is so charming that Bhutan’s royal family maintains a century-old palace here just to have a place to stay when passing through.

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Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass (or Dochu La) is a scenic mountain pass on the road from Thimphu to Punakha. Situated at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet, Dochula offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas, including Mount Masanggang (Gangkar Puensum in the local language), the highest peak in Bhutan. Along with magnificent mountain views, the site features colorful prayer flags, a large temple, and 108 small chortens (stupas), built in memory of Bhutanese soldiers killed in battle.

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Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Perched on a cliff high above the blue-pine forests of the Paro Valley, Tiger’s Nest Monastery—also known as Taktsang Goemba—is Bhutan’s most sacred locale. Widely considered one of the most breathtaking sights in the world, Tiger’s Nest has its roots in the 8th century. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche arrived at the site in 747 AD on the back of a flying tiger to subdue a local demon. Then, after meditating in a cave for more than three years, the guru set about converting the Bhutanese to Buddhism. A pilgrimage site for centuries, all Bhutanese visit Taktsang at least once in their lifetime. But keep in mind that visiting something as special as Tiger’s Nest requires effort—especially for those without the aid of a flying tiger. At 7,000 feet above sea level, the valley floor is already quite high. Reaching Tiger’s Nest (which is at 10,000 feet) requires a two- to three-hour uphill climb along a very steep trail, and the final approach includes many stairs (about 700 in all) descending towards a bridge over a waterfall and then uphill to the monastery. The rewards are great for those who reach Tiger’s Nest, however. Many visitors claim that simply standing in silence among the clouds on the side of a mountain deep in the Himalayas is a deeply moving spiritual experience.

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